Fx in Rome (part 6): Cartier Boutique
foversta
If the JLC, Audemars Piguet or IWC boutiques are new in Rome, it is a different story with Cartier. Actually, the boutique opened in the mid 80s and has never left the Via Condotti since then. It is the reason why we can say that it belongs to the category of the key addresses of the most prestigious shopping street of the city, a few steps from the Caffe Greco and in front of the Bulgari boutique.
At first glance, the boutique looks rather small and not too deep. But it is a wrong feeling because the stairs at the back lead to an impressive first floor which gathers the after-service department, the VIP room and several different sections dedicated to specific ranges of the collection. The grood floor is basically dedicated to the watches and to the jewelry. The high horology and the accessories are sold on the first floor and I highly suggest to ask to the staff to visit it for a full Cartier experience. I would like to add that the view on the Via Condotti from the first floor is also pure joy for the eyes! Anyway, as you can imagine, I visit the boutique to see watches and not only the scenery even if it is spectacular!
The boutique is located at the #83 Via Condotti. I love this street because you always have the feeling to appreciate the boutiques of the most famous brands in a relaxed and not too formal atmosphere.
The decoration of the ground floor... and you can see a frame with the Ballon Bleu Flying Tourbillon. A watch I would put on my wrist a few minutes later.
The jewels side. I like this boutique style which is very classy and too overloaded.
Let's go upstairs. This room is dedicated to the accessories and the leather goods:
And of course, we are always under the vigilance of the Cartier Panther!
This is the main room of the First floor to welcome the clients with all the comfort they need.
The view from the window:
The Santos Dumont Skeleton on the wrist:
This message has been edited by foversta on 2015-08-29 14:50:06
At first glance, the boutique looks rather small and not too deep. But it is a wrong feeling because the stairs at the back lead to an impressive first floor which gathers the after-service department, the VIP room and several different sections dedicated to specific ranges of the collection. The grood floor is basically dedicated to the watches and to the jewelry. The high horology and the accessories are sold on the first floor and I highly suggest to ask to the staff to visit it for a full Cartier experience. I would like to add that the view on the Via Condotti from the first floor is also pure joy for the eyes! Anyway, as you can imagine, I visit the boutique to see watches and not only the scenery even if it is spectacular!
The boutique is located at the #83 Via Condotti. I love this street because you always have the feeling to appreciate the boutiques of the most famous brands in a relaxed and not too formal atmosphere.
The decoration of the ground floor... and you can see a frame with the Ballon Bleu Flying Tourbillon. A watch I would put on my wrist a few minutes later.
The jewels side. I like this boutique style which is very classy and too overloaded.
Let's go upstairs. This room is dedicated to the accessories and the leather goods:
And of course, we are always under the vigilance of the Cartier Panther!
This is the main room of the First floor to welcome the clients with all the comfort they need.
The view from the window:
July and August are usually not the best period to discover the novelties of the year because it is a bit too soon and the Manufactures close in August. But thanks to its production capacity, Cartier is able to deliver some novelties quite soon when the brand strategy requires it. It is obviously the case with Clé which was already available at the Rome boutique.
Let's start this overview of the current collection with my fav Cartier watch of the last years: the Tank Louis Cartier Skeleton Sapphire.
This watch is pure beauty because it manages to combine technical contents with a successful design. Usually, the barrel is the weak point of a skeleton movement because it breaks the aesthetics harmony. The Tank Louis Cartier Skeleton Sapphire has two and they are perfectly integrated in the design.
The movement looks like lace and at the same time very contemporary on both sides.
I also love the contrast between its circular lay-out and the rectangular shape of the case:
Let's start this overview of the current collection with my fav Cartier watch of the last years: the Tank Louis Cartier Skeleton Sapphire.
This watch is pure beauty because it manages to combine technical contents with a successful design. Usually, the barrel is the weak point of a skeleton movement because it breaks the aesthetics harmony. The Tank Louis Cartier Skeleton Sapphire has two and they are perfectly integrated in the design.
The movement looks like lace and at the same time very contemporary on both sides.
I also love the contrast between its circular lay-out and the rectangular shape of the case:
The 30 x 39,2mm case is perfect on my wrist, not too small and not too large. The watch gives the feeling to be delicate but it doesn't forget to offer a quite good presence on the wrist. A great achievement by Cartier enhanced by the flat style of the Tank Louis Cartier.
Another favourite is the Rotonde Mysterious Double Tourbillon.
One more time, Cartier plays with the contrasts. The contrast between the size of the watch (45mm) and the delicate behaviour of the Double Tourbillon which, more than ever, looks really mysterious. The other contrast is the difference between the slow motion of the hands and the perceived speed of the Double Tourbillon.
One more time, Cartier plays with the contrasts. The contrast between the size of the watch (45mm) and the delicate behaviour of the Double Tourbillon which, more than ever, looks really mysterious. The other contrast is the difference between the slow motion of the hands and the perceived speed of the Double Tourbillon.
Sometimes, I wonder if the result would be as spectacular with a smaller case. I don't think so. At least, with this size, the hands overlapping doesn't spoil the show.
On the wrist, a mesmerizing watch even if I would love to not see my hair behind the Double Tourbillon. Anyway, this Rotonde is also very high in my dream list.
In a way, the Ballon Bleu Flying Tourbillon plays in the same category. The case diameter is impressive (46mm) and it highlights the Tourbillon revolution. I have to confess that I'm less convinced by this one and the 39mm version is for me much more balanced for my taste.
It remains a superb watch which combines powerful design with the refined style of the Ballon Bleu collection.
It remains a superb watch which combines powerful design with the refined style of the Ballon Bleu collection.
The typical tourbillon bridge. But I would have preferred a solid caseback due to the gap between the movement and the case tourbillons.
The watch on the wrist:
I've always had a soft love for the Santos Dumont collection... and this Skeleton watch fully takes advantage of the beautiful case shape.
The watch is powered by the 9614 MC movement which belongs to the family of in-house skeleton movements with a 4hz frequency and a power reserve of 3 days. For example, the movement of the Crash Skeleton, the 9618 MC comes from this same family.
The Santos Dumont Skeleton on the wrist:
We tend to forget it but Cartier has a wide range of Perpetual Calendar watches... and several displays! The Caliber Perpetual Calendar uses a peripheral date display and an original retrograde day of the week indicator. This dial lay-out can also be found in the context of the Tortue and of the Rotonde.
The Calibre Perpetual Calendar on the wrist. A large watch which doesn't have, at least for my taste, the same appeal than the Rotonde. Why? Because I find the Rotonde case more appropriate for this type of complication.
So here comes the main novelty of the year for Cartier: Clé.
I shot in Rome my fav version with Pink Gold case and leather strap:
I shot in Rome my fav version with Pink Gold case and leather strap:
The main asset of the watch is the case design, fluid and curved with a shape which really improves the comfort on the wrist.
As you know the watch is powered by the new in-house movement, the 1847 MC which aim is to power a wide range of watches in the collection including the newest Ronde Croisière.
As you know the watch is powered by the new in-house movement, the 1847 MC which aim is to power a wide range of watches in the collection including the newest Ronde Croisière.
The 40mm Clé on the wrist. You will notice the blue color of the figures and of course the already well-known crown which gives its name to the watch.
I would like to end the report with the Rotonde Large Date and Retrograde Second Timezone.
The watch was unveiled out of the context of the SIHH, at Watches & Wonders and I consider it as a very important piece for Cartier with a good value for money.
I appreciate its dial lay-out which breaks the usual classicism of the brand and the combination of the retrograde hand with the day/night display, if not the easiest to use, brings a very nice energy to the watch.
The watch was unveiled out of the context of the SIHH, at Watches & Wonders and I consider it as a very important piece for Cartier with a good value for money.
I appreciate its dial lay-out which breaks the usual classicism of the brand and the combination of the retrograde hand with the day/night display, if not the easiest to use, brings a very nice energy to the watch.
This 42mm is maybe a bit too large for a dressed watch but thanks to the dial lay-out and the unusual shape of the displays, this Rotonde remains balanced with a touch of originality.
As you can see, thanks to the Cartier boutique of Rome, I could handle a quite large selection of the current collection from simple to complicated watches. I was nicely surprised by the offer of the boutique and of course, I suggest you if you are in Rome to visit it! But if you do it, please ask the staff to go to the first floor to appreciate the full Cartier collection and experience. After the visit of the boutique, go to the Caffe Greco to enjoy a wonderful Cappuccino! It would be a perfect way to conclude the visit!
I would like to thank a lot the staff of the Cartier boutique of Rome for the warm welcome.
Fr.Xavier
I would like to thank a lot the staff of the Cartier boutique of Rome for the warm welcome.
Fr.Xavier
This message has been edited by foversta on 2015-08-29 14:50:06
Comments:
MTF August 29th, 2015-16:15
Cartier Panther and the Bee The Panther is always watching at Cartier... Regards, MTF ...
Tobi August 31st, 2015-07:41
Bee on grape Hi, is the bee part of their current collection?
MTF August 31st, 2015-10:05
Cartier Bee on Raspberry The bee is on a raspberry and was in the boutique in July 2013. The thing is that Cartier can make things to order if there is precedence in their design book. Regards, MTF
Tobi August 31st, 2015-23:18
ha ha of course - that would be an odd looking grape or a very small bunch of grapes. thank you, i looked on their website and didn't find it - bespoke will be somewhat pricey no doubt.
MTF September 1st, 2015-04:45
Not necessarily bespoke The Bee may not be a stock model in the mass market catalogue but it need not be a bespoke piece either. Like any jeweller, Cartier can make up small batches of pieces like this if they have the stones of size and colour. It may be in their old Natural Fl...
Tobi September 1st, 2015-07:39
Thank you for that detailed and considered response. Much appreciated. Regards T
Bill August 30th, 2015-19:49
Which model is this one. I love the balance. There is a lot going on on the dial but it looks great. Love to hear more. ...
foversta September 1st, 2015-13:03
It is the Calibre Perpetual Calendar I have good news for you! If you don't like the Calibre case, the case dial lay-out is available with the Rotonde or the Tortue! The peripheral scale makes the date very legible. I like a lot this PC system even if I'm not a PC guy... Thanks! Fx
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foversta
My visit of the Cartier Boutique of the Champs-Elysees
foversta
I have to confess that I usually don't go very often to the Cartier Boutique located at the 154 Avenue des Champs-Elysées. It is not because I don't like the most famous avenue in the world, but simply I find it a bit off-centered from my flat: the Capucines Boutique is much more convenient for me and more importantly, I know much better its staff. If I forget my personal considerations, without any doubt, the location of the Champs-Elysées Boutique is strategically perfect, a few steps from the Arc de Triomphe. It is maybe the reason why this Boutique has the reputation to be more focused on tourists than on local customers.
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